Memorial Day

I know I'm supposed to be writing about quilting and sewing and other crafty things.  But on certain days I feel introspective.  Memorial Day is one of those days.  So, I take the liberty of using my blog for something other than what is was created.  I guess that liberty is what Memorial Day is really about.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.  When watching the news about Afghanistan and Iraq and I hear about the fatality count for the day, I think of the son or daughter that was lost.  The brother or the sister, the mother or the father.  I think of how I would feel if that were my son, my brother, my sister.  I can't even bear the thought.  I don't know how I would live the reality.

Today I also think of my father.  He was a WWII vet and because I am 49 years old, you can surmise that he did not lose his life in the line of service.  Or did he?  I believe a big piece of him died in the Pacific Theatre.  He never spoke about the war or what he saw, but I do know that the Navy vet that returned was not the same boy that left his Indiana farm.  I once asked him why he didn't talk about the war.  He said there are things you don't want to remember. 

My father joined the service at the age of 17.  His older brother had already enlisted and was an Air Force pilot during WWII.  I remember my grandmother telling me that my father insisted that she sign the papers so he could enlist, or he would leave home.  I just see him saying that.  My father was very, very "ornery", to say the very, very least.  Could I sign those papers if it were my son, even with a threat of leaving hanging over my head?  I don't know that I could.

Tom Brokaw said that the sons and daughters of WWII was the "greatest generation."  I read the book and by all accounts, never was there ever before then such a sense of patriotism by all persons, not just those in the service, but also those at home.  This book is worth a read.  My grandmother had two sons at war.  She was very proud of her sons.  How does one bear that?

So, to all those who we have lost, no matter during what war or conflict, and to those who watch their loved ones serve our country, I thank you.

Extreme Makeover -- Sewing Room Edition

The new floor is installed.  The new sewing cabinet is in.  Time to add the equipment and fabric!!  It's hard to imagine that I sewed for so long on a dark green carpet.  The room now feels so much more open and airy.  I feel like I'm in a whole new house!!

Thanks to Tim, Dan and Brandon for installing this floor in one Saturday morning.  The cabinet was in after lunch on Saturday afternoon.  That was my Mother's Day gift.  I am the luckiest mom . . . ever.

My new desk area is no longer that dark green and horrible orange color that it once was.  I now feel like a sewing princess!!

I diligently folded and refolded my fabric stash to fit in my closet just the way I wanted.  Like colors together, themes together, etc. etc.  I discovered that I have way too much fabric.  One tip that someone gave at a seminar was if you find fabric that you love buy it.  Buy it all!!  Yikes!!  Where would I put it?  New plan . . . pick out coordinating fabrics from my stash and find a pattern to go with it, instead of the other way around.

I decided to put my design boards around my desk area and save my room walls for quilts.  I have so many folded in the closet and decided it was time to display them.  Here's the desk area.  The design boards act as a great "sound insulator" for the TV.  I just have to figure out a way to make those unsightly TV cords not so ugly.  Any suggestions?

Now for the best.  If you have two sewing machines, the Koala Craftpro IV is the best.  It is counter height so the extensions serve as a cutting tables.  One on each side!!  Tons of storage.  Everthing that was laying around is now stored neatly on the shelves under the cabinet.  You don't have to take up wall space for bookshelves or put in an extra cabinet for all those notions!!  I died and went to sewing room heaven!!

There is even now a wide open area to move around.  Lay your blocks out on the floor, and an ironing board.  My father-in-law made me the big board to go over my regular ironing board and the quilt hanger that you see.  It's wonderful to be in a family full of handymen!!

From Sewing Room to Sewing Studio

When we built our house 8 years ago, the room I now use as my sewing room was a designated "play room" for my son.  He picked out the wall color, carpet color, etc. etc.  It showed.  At that time he was  in love with the Packers.  So there we were. Yellow walls, dark green desk area, dark green carpet.  Not exactly conducive to a sewing room.  Nonetheless, when he got his drivers license, he was rarely home anymore.  So, I stole the room. 

Out came the Playstation, drum set, futon, and rock star posters.  I was so anxious to have my very own sewing space, I didn't bother changing anything.  Have you ever sewed for very long on a dark green carpet?  Not good.

I put on my best "pouty" face and told my husband that my sewing space needed an extreme makeover.  Reluctantly and with his best "pouty" face, he gave the green light.  Here's the progress:

Here's the first "before" picture.  See the beautiful dark green carpet and those vibrant yellow walls?  I cringe just looking at it.  As you can see, I tested out paint colors.  It couple me a couple of tries, but I finally found something I truly loved.  It's funny how colors look so different in the store than at home.  Thank God for those wonderful paint samples they have now. 

And here's the dark green "cubby" area.  You can see more paint tests.  This is a great area to set up my computer and store my books.  As it was it was way too dark.  I'll fix that!!

And so it began . . . paint samples . . . standing back.  Hmmm.  Brenda's opinion, Annette's opinion, Tim's opinion.  First I got the ceiling painted.  Feeling like Michael Angelo, I stood back and admired my handy work.  That was last weekend.  This weekend the walls. 

From this picture it is hard to tell, but the walls are now a light and airy shade of pale green.  The room looks so clean and bright.  I already feel inspired.  And as for that cubby:

It is now a light sage green.  For a nice pop of color, I painted the desk a marine blue.  The red paper you see on the floor is the next big step to be completed next weekend.  Hardwood floors.  I am so excited I feel giddy. 

So what am I now using for my sewing room?  Well, my poor dining room looks like an explosion, but I am able to satisfy my need to sew little projects for now.

Needless to say I haven't invited anyone to dinner in a while.  I'll keep you up to date on the construction. 

Oh, by the way.  A beautiful Koala cabinet will be going in my space.  Check it out.  It will be the CraftPro Plus IV.  Check it out at http://www.sewingandcraftclub.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=2919&category_id=303